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Chapter 47: The Erosion of Humanity, The Decline of Morality

“Refusal? Why?”

In this world, there are indeed saints who see wealth and riches as mere dust. But for a maid, especially a little maid who quietly sobs in the icy cold, to say such things? It left the Intelligent Angel baffled.

“Miss Alice, you may not understand. I can assure you that your status in the church is no less than that of royalty in the Western Continent. You don’t have to continue living like this.”

“Just this?”

“?”

Alice wasn’t indifferent; in fact, she seemed a bit disappointed: “No need. Alice is doing just fine right now.”

Surrounded by princesses and nightingales, Alice didn’t think the life of royalty was that great.

Even Charlotte and Nia complained about their busy schedules, lamenting they couldn’t be with Roy.

A life where she could be with her master was what made for a good life!

Of course, Alice wouldn’t mind having a status that complemented Roy.

So when Simon asked, she did let herself hope a little.

If the other party was willing to give her an adequate title that would allow her to be with Roy, Alice would truly be tempted.

“Wait, wait a second.”

Let it be said, Simon reacted quickly, soon realizing that Alice wasn’t the cool, indifferent type who didn’t care about anything.

So he took the simplest, most direct approach: “The church truly doesn’t want Miss Alice’s talents to go to waste. May I ask, Miss Alice, do you have any other requests?”

What bad intentions could the little maid have?

Her wish was actually very simple, even plain.

Just to be with her master openly!

However, to fulfill this wish, she needed some additional prerequisites.

Thus, Alice seriously declared, “Alice wants to become a saint!”

Becoming a saint would not only help her master explore the secrets of his bloodline and relieve his troubles but also afford her a proper status to be with him, just like Charlotte and the others—a win-win!

Perfect—little maid really hadn’t considered the feelings of the Holy Light Church.

Simon didn’t respond, merely took a silent sip of tea.

Otherwise, he wouldn’t be able to settle down.

Holy Light above!

Little sister, are you just being polite? You really don’t see the church as outsiders, huh?!

You want to be a saint? Even if you’re the legendary chosen one, you at least have to go through the motions, right? Why not say you want to be the pope?!

Once entangled with numerous factions and able to manipulate opponents within a few words, the Intelligent Angel Simon now felt his lips quiver and his mindset scattered.

He even suspected that Alice had said such outrageous demands on a whim because she didn’t genuinely want to agree.

On the other hand, Roy was chuckling.

He had already guessed the church’s intentions.

They just wanted to grab Alice’s extraordinary talents for themselves.

First, let the candidates for sainthood create some trouble, and then the higher-ups would step in to mediate.

A classic case of hitting someone with a stick and following up with a date—simple as pie.

But in the original work, the various temptations from the Intelligent Angel didn’t yield results, as Alice didn’t pursue material wealth or power. Nowadays, her loyalty to Roy far exceeded anything the other maidens had in the original.

Thinking they could just snatch away the maid he raised with his own hands was a bit too dreamy.

One person had a headache, the other was smug, yet neither noticed the hidden frustration in the little maid’s eyes.

In fact, if the Holy Light Church were willing to elevate her as a saint and help her get closer to Roy, Alice would genuinely consider joining.

Without helping her win over Roy, no amount of power or wealth would hold any value.

Unfortunately, this thought was buried too deep to be easily guessed.

Simon wasn’t ready to give up.

Seeing the black-haired boy smirk, Simon got a vague idea.

Just like those trained prisoners, even when left unwatched, they wouldn’t dare step out of their cage. This girl was just too wary of Roy to voice her true thoughts!

“Miss Alice, is this truly your own idea and not someone else’s orders?”

“?”

Alice replied in confusion, “Of course.”

“Don’t be nervous; the church fears no one. No one can force you,” Simon said this while staring straight at Roy beside her.

Feeling the implication, Alice became a bit displeased: “Alice has not been forced at all.”

“Really?”

Simon’s gaze sharpened: “Mr. Roy, if you don’t mind, could you step aside? I’d like to talk to Miss Alice alone.”

Unexpectedly, at this, the little maid’s voice turned icy: “Are you doubting my… Master Roy?”

“There’s no need for that! Roy has never forced me to do anything!”

At first, Alice thought Simon was just a strange nice guy, but the moment he questioned Roy, her previously decent impression plummeted.

Alice’s over-the-top reaction left Simon stunned.

To defend Roy so fiercely meant either genuine respect or deep-seated fear of him.

For a moment, Simon found himself at an impasse.

But as the saying goes, you can know a person’s face but not their heart. Recalling the images revealed by the Eye of Divine Insight, Simon ultimately chose to believe the latter.

With her crying so much, it just seemed like she was being abused!

Thinking this, Simon finally suggested, “I just want to say, Miss Alice, if you join the Holy Light Church, you can completely break free from any influence of the Western Continent and be forever separated from Roy…”

“I don’t want that!”

Alice sprang up, the Holy Light bursting forth, gleaming like a sword drawn from its sheath, yet also like an angry puppy baring its teeth.

Anything was fine, but separating from Roy was a taboo Alice could not tolerate.

She glared fiercely at Simon and coldly declared, “From now on, you’ve been rude to my master! I’ve tolerated you long enough!”

“Listen here, no matter what conditions you offer, even if you make me a saint, I absolutely, absolutely, absolutely will not be separated from my master!”

“Farewell!”

With that, the little maid didn’t care about his identity anymore and stormed out.

Although Roy had already known Alice wouldn’t be swayed by the Holy Light Church, he never thought she would lose her temper like this, leaving him both amused and warmed.

“You heard what she said,” Roy shrugged and then got up to leave.

Simon remained where he stood, staring blankly for quite a while before suddenly realizing something.

“Master?”

Her words, spoken in emotional turmoil, were genuine.

Many servants may respect their masters outwardly, but privately, how many contemptuous names do they use? Even those devoted maids see their masters as friends or siblings at most.

What exactly had Roy done to make her regard him as her true master?

Simon finally understood he had made a mistake.

Alice wasn’t afraid of Roy; she genuinely wanted to protect her master.

So, the illustrious candidate for the Holy Light and the fabled fifth Saint Candidate, destined to save the world, willingly chooses to remain as that boy’s maid? Is this truly the erosion of humanity or the decline of morality?!

Simon poured himself another cup of tea, his head filled with dark lines.

The young people nowadays really play hard…

He couldn’t relax without tea.